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October 26, 2006
ATHENS, Ga., - Building on the success of the inaugural Athens Regional Foundation Classic, the Nationwide Tour and
the Athens Regional Foundation have announced the dates for the 2007 event and introduced a new tournament director.
The 2nd annual Athens Regional Foundation Classic will be held the week of April 16 through the 22 at Jennings Mill Country
Club in Oconee County. The event will offer a $500,000 purse with all profits going to support the Athens Regional Foundation.
The inaugural event, won by Australian Paul Gow, drew weeklong crowds of more than 20,000 to the links-style layout at
Jennings Mill. Additionally, 565 volunteers took part in the effort and more than 20 major sponsors lent their support,
making it a truly regional event.
"The 2006 Athens Regional Foundation Classic was a wonderful example of people from all over this community joining together
to pull off one of the area's greatest events," said Len Sapera, chairman of the Athens Regional Foundation. "We are
thrilled to be working with the Nationwide Tour again in 2007. We have set the bar high, and our team of professionals
and volunteers are ready to watch the pros tee it up and play great golf for a great cause."
The tournament itself is the four-day highlight of a week of special events. In addition to the competition, fans
enjoyed the "Golf Ball" gala, participated with tomorrow's PGA TOUR stars in the pro-am, took part in an interactive Kid's
Clinic, and enjoyed a multitude of activities at the Healthy Pavilion.
"The Nationwide Tour is looking forward to returning to Athens in 2007," said Bill Calfee, chief of operations for the
Nationwide Tour. "The 2006 debut tournament was a big success and we are excited about the tournament's future growth.
We expect 2007 to be even better than last year."
Players will return to the familiar surroundings of Jennings Mill County Club. The Bob Cupp-designed course plays
to a par of 72 and stretched to more than 7,000 yards for the 2006 event. Since it opened in 1986, Jennings Mill has
been the site of numerous events, including PGA TOUR qualifying tournaments, the Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) Mid-Amateur
Championships and others.
The Foundation again will be the host organization for the event and the tournament will support its goals of providing
for the long-term health care of area citizens. Among the Foundation's projects are the Loran Smith Center for Cancer
Support, The Guest House, the region's only Mobile Mammography Unit and a state-of-the art Breast Health Center.
Cutts Benedict, formerly the head professional at Jennings Mill, takes over as the tournament director for the 2007 event.
He spent nearly 10 years as the head professional at Jennings Mill after stops at the Harbor Club in Greensboro, Ga., Eagle's
Landing in Stockbridge, Ga., Atlanta National in Alpharetta, Ga. and historic Oak Hills in San Antonio, Texas. The Class
A teaching professional played collegiate golf at the University of Texas in Austin.
"It is a great thrill to be associated with the Athens Regional Foundation and be a part of their efforts in what they
do for everyone in the greater Athens community," said Benedict. "This event reaches throughout our community and positively
affects the lives of so many people. We have a huge challenge ahead of us, but we have a tremendous committee and a
host of volunteers ready to make it all come together."
Athens Regional Foundation
All proceeds from the Classic will benefit the Athens Regional Foundation.
The Foundation's goals of community service and education are accomplished by providing the financial means to establish projects
and programs to reach out and serve the long-term healthcare needs of area citizens. Recent projects of the Foundation include
the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support, which provides free resources to anyone affected by cancer; The Guest House, a
home away from home for families of critically ill patients; a Mobile Mammography Unit, which provides screening mammograms
to women who do not easily have access to mammograms; and the Breast Health Center, which includes one of the only digital
mammography units in the country.
The Nationwide Tour
The Nationwide Tour is part of the PGA TOUR family and was founded in 1990. Nationwide
has served as the umbrella sponsor of the Tour starting with the 2003 season. The Top 20 players on the Nationwide Tour graduate
to the PGA TOUR annually, and to date, former players have won 193 PGA TOUR titles, including 10 major championships. Among
those who have honed their game on the Tour are Stewart Cink, John Daly, Chris DiMarco, David Duval, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk,
Tom Lehman and David Toms. The PGA TOUR is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Its website is www.PGATOUR.com.
Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, OH, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial
services organizations in the world with more than $157 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #99 on the Fortune 100 list.
The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, homeowners, life, health, commercial
insurance, administrative services, annuities, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans.
Nationwide and the Nationwide Framework are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
On Your Side is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
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Media Contacts:
Elaine Cook, Director of Corporate Communications
Athens
Regional Health Services
(706) 475-3350
ecook@armc.org
Bryan Harris
(For the Athens Regional Foundation Classic)
(706) 354-0470
bharris@jacksonspalding.com
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